Can opener



Patented Apr. 10, 1923.

warren STATES JOHN BODNAR, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

CAN OPENER.

Application filed May 21,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that JOHN BODNAR, a citizen of the United States of America,residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State ofMassachusetts, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in CanOpeners, of which the following is a terminal portions to the can coverand provided with a thumb engageable projec tion or lug and means forengaging an external bead on the can bottom, whereby the cover and thebottom will'be separated from each other when the lug carrying portionof the lever or yoke is forced outwardlyof the can top.

With the above and other objects in view this invention relates tocertain new and useful constructions, combinations and arrangements ofparts, clearly described in the following specification and fullyillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation.

Figure 2 is a plan view.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line 8 of Figure 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings 5 designates the can bottom whichis provided with an external bead 6 of considerable depth and whichprovides a seat for the flange '7 of the can top 8.

The flange 7 is formed with an outwardly directed ear 9 located on eachside thereof and in diametrio opposition to eachother.

A yoke like lever 10 is pivotally connected by means of the rivets orlike 11- to the ears 9, this lever being of U shaped formation andsnugly fitting against the outer face of sists of a yoke like leverpivoted near its length.

1920. Serial No. 383,238.

the flange 7 of the can top 8. The lever 10 is formed with a thumbengageable external lug 12 and the pivots 11 are located inwardlv of theends of the lever so as to provide short terminal arms 13 and 14 whichare adapted to be moved against the external bead of the can bottom whenthe finger hold or lug 12 is moved by finger or thumb pres sureupwardly. When the yoke is thus tilt ed the can bottom will be separatedfrom the can top and ready access obtained to the contents of the can. i

In order to reinforce the lever 10 the some is' provided with a bead 10and the terminal portions of thelever are provided with inset beadengaging flanges 15, whereby the short arms 13 and 14 will be maintainedin correct working engagement with the external bead of the can.

The improved opener can be constructed of any material and when appliedto a can in no way interferes with the economical manufacture and easyuse of the can or its contents.

Having described my invention, I claim:

'The combination with a can, including a bottom and a cover, and thebottom having an external circular flange located below its upper edgeand said upper edge being insertable in the cover, said cover beingprovided with upwardly turned integral ears, located in opposite sidesthereof,

a U-shaped lever having terminal portions pivotally connected with saidears and projecting beyond said pivotal connections, the central portionof the lever having an outset finger hold, the lever normally resting inbodily contact with the flange, being normally protected againstaccidental displacement by said flange, the lever having a medialreinforcing flange coextensive with its Signed by me at Springfield,Massachusetts;

JOHN BODNAR.

